By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LULING – Hahnville High School students joined forces with several local agencies and businesses to bring State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive event to West Bank Bridge Park in Luling.
According to statistics, teenage drivers are three to four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than adult drivers. The South Central Safe Community Partnership, Louisiana State Police Troops B and C, Hahnville and Luling Volunteer Fire Departments, Wal-Mart and the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force collaborated to bring the special, interactive event to St. Charles Parish to try to reduce the dismal statistic.
Along with refreshments and live music, activities included a Fatal Vision Goggle demonstration, an automated seatbelt rollover and an explanation of the importance of understanding an 18-wheeler’s blind spots from Wal-Mart’s Committed to Safety truck drivers. Firefighters from the volunteer fire departments also completed a live demonstration of the Jaws of Life on a real vehicle. Other activities included a “Saved by the Belt” testimony and award ceremony and giveways by local State Farm agents.
Celebrate My Drive is a State Farm campaign intended to bring students and communities together to make safedriving commitments online, in honor of National Teen Driver Safety Week. The insurance agency will award a total of $3.25 million to 100 high schools who secure the most commitments. In addition, two schools will receive a free concert by Grammy award-winning singer Kelly Clarkson. The campaign has secured 6,313,719 commitments. All winning schools will be announced on Dec. 9.
For more information on the campaign, or to view winning schools, visit www.celebratemydrive.com.